How DNA damage and immune signaling talk to each other in macrophages during bacterial infections
Official title: Investigating the crosstalk between DNA damage and innate immune signaling networks in macrophages
Funded at California State University Hayward · NIH-11397460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how the DNA damage response interacts with immune signaling in macrophages to shape responses to bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Hayward NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hayward, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $184,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM159931-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with bacterial infections in whom macrophage pathways could be relevant or who could contribute human-derived samples for mechanistic studies.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not directly benefit if the study focuses on basic mechanisms without immediate clinical applications.
What this research studies
This project focuses on macrophages, a key immune cell type, and how signals from pathogen exposure, DNA damage, and immune pathways coordinate to control inflammation and defense. It builds on prior findings that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can cause DNA breaks, triggering a combined DNA damage response and NF-κB–driven gene expression. By examining the crosstalk between DNA damage and innate immune networks, the research aims to uncover how these processes influence responses to bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes. The work could reveal new targets to modulate inflammation and improve host defense with fewer tissue injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could identify mechanisms to enhance bacterial clearance while reducing tissue damage from inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that DNA damage response and NF-κB pathways can interact to regulate immune signaling, but the specific crosstalk in macrophages during infection is still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Hayward
Hayward, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez Morales, Abigail — California State University Hayward
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez Morales, Abigail
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.